We enter an online casino where we can safely place our bets, but what is the atmosphere like in a physical casino and which are the most spectacular on the planet?
Bellagio: When Italy Meets the Nevada Desert
The Bellagio in Las Vegas, opened in 1998, is as if someone had taken a piece of Lake Como and thrown it into the middle of the Nevada desert.
Steve Wynn, the King Midas of Vegas, spent a whopping $1.6 billion to make this dream come true. His dancing fountains have become more famous than many Hollywood stars. Every evening, thousands of tourists flock to see this aquatic spectacle that would make even Neptune pale.
But the real stroke of genius? The botanical conservatory. Amid the chaos of gaming tables and slot machines, there is a garden that changes with the seasons.
Marina Bay Sands: Singapore defies gravity
Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands, opened in 2010, this $5.5 billion monster makes Dubai’s projects look like sandcastles.
The infinity pool on the terrace? It’s 150 meters long and 200 meters high. Swimming there is like floating on the edge of the world. The “boat” design atop the three buildings is an engineering masterpiece that required aerodynamic studies worthy of NASA.
Caesar’s Palace: Ancient Rome comes to life in the desert
Caesar’s Palace, opened way back in 1966, is like a crazy time machine. You find yourself in Ancient Rome, but with air conditioning and slot machines.
Statues of Caesar, Corinthian columns, incredible fountains… all that’s missing is Nero playing the lyre!
The real gem is the Colosseum, a 4,300-seat theater that has hosted legends like Celine Dion and Elton John.
The Venetian Macao: Marco Polo will turn in his grave
You thought Las Vegas was too much? Wait until you see Macao! The Venetian Macao, opened in 2007.
This giant has 3,000 suites, 1,200 gaming tables and… listen up… navigable canals complete with gondolas!
The casino floor? It covers an area equivalent to 4 football fields. It’s so big you could get lost for days.
Sun City: The gambling oasis in the heart of Africa
Now, hold on tight because we’re about to take a leap into the surreal. Sun City, in South Africa opened in 1979, in the middle of the savannah, surrounded by golf courses and wave pools. It’s like a mirage, with jackpots and cocktails.
The Palace of the Lost City, the annexed hotel seems to have come out of an Indiana Jones movie. Urban legends say it was built by an alien civilization.
Casino de Monte-Carlo: where James Bond loses at baccarat
The Casino de Monte-Carlo, inaugurated way back in 1863, is the equivalent of an Aston Martin in the world of casinos: elegant, refined and with a French accent.
This jewel of the Belle Époque has seen kings, queens and… James Bond. Ian Fleming was inspired by these very rooms for the adventures of his secret agent among gilded stucco, crystal chandeliers and croupiers in tuxedos. An oddity? Residents of Monaco cannot gamble here. It is forbidden by law!
So, the next time you feel bored by the usual routine, remember that out there there is a world of crazy architecture ready to welcome you.